An Israeli government ministry has devised a wartime plan to relocate 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a move that has drawn strong criticism from Palestine and further strained relations with Cairo.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office downplayed the document produced by the Intelligence Ministry, describing it as a hypothetical exercise or a “concept paper.” However, its recommendations have deepened Egypt’s longstanding concerns that Israel aims to shift the Gaza issue onto Egypt’s shoulders while evoking painful memories for Palestinians of the mass displacement that occurred during the conflict surrounding Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, vehemently rejected the proposal, stating that they are firmly opposed to any form of population transfer. He emphasized that the traumatic events of 1948 should not be repeated, and a large-scale displacement would be viewed as an act tantamount to starting a new war. Since Israel initiated a full-scale offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7, over 8,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have lost their lives.
Document suggests permanent tent city in Sinai
The document, dated October 13 and initially disclosed by a local news site called Sicha Mekomit, was authored by the Intelligence Ministry, which conducts research but does not set policy. The document presents three alternatives to address the civilian situation in Gaza, particularly in response to what it calls “Hamas crimes” leading to the “Sword of Iron War.”
One of the proposed alternatives is to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to tent cities in northern Sinai, followed by the construction of permanent cities and an unspecified humanitarian corridor. A security zone within Israel would be established to prevent displaced Palestinians from re-entering Gaza. However, the report does not outline what would happen to Gaza once its population is transferred.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not provide an immediate response to the report, but throughout the recent conflict, Egypt has consistently voiced its opposition to the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt has long been concerned that Israel intends to force a permanent displacement of Palestinians into its territory, akin to events that occurred during the war surrounding Israel’s independence.
Between 1948 and 1967, Egypt governed Gaza until Israel occupied the territory, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The majority of Gaza’s population consists of descendants of Palestinian refugees who were displaced during Israel’s occupation.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has expressed the view that a massive influx of refugees from Gaza would undermine the Palestinian cause and potentially lead to a conflict with Israel, a situation he wishes to avoid.
